Police Officer Hourly Pay in Fresno, CA: $49.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Fresno, CA runs $49.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,854 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Fresno's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.2, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,316 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Fresno's police officer hourly pay reaches a median of $49.93, significantly higher than the national median of $37.76, marking a 32.23% premium for local officers in California. This elevated hourly rate translates into substantial earning potential for part-time and per-diem officers working in various environments, such as patrol vehicles on their beats, police station booking and report-writing areas, and courtroom testimony settings. For those beginning their careers, entry-level positions can expect to start around $32.35 an hour, while experienced officers may command upwards of $79.00 per hour, reflecting the city's diverse demands for law enforcement. This data, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS information projected to 2026, provides a comprehensive look at what you can expect in your policing career in Fresno.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.35 | $258.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.45 | $307.61 |
| Median (P50) | $49.93 | $399.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.35 | $490.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.00 | $631.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fresno
Based on $49.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.93/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fresno, CA can expect to earn approximately $103,860 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,919. With a cost-of-living index of 102.16 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fresno.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fresno
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,997.30 | $8,655 | $103,860 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,198.38 | $5,193 | $62,316 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $798.92 | $3,462 | $41,544 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Fresno) | $49.93 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Fresno, CA earn a median of $103,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.23% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 6.10% below the California state average of $110,600.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.93/hr = $62,316/year (purchasing power: $60,999).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,860/year (purchasing power: $101,666).
CoL index: 102.158 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Fresno grew 12.9% from $42.90/hr (2019) to $48.45/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.46/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fresno metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Fresno
Examining part-time versus full-time opportunities reveals intriguing financial outcomes. A police officer working three days a week, accumulating 24 hours, can expect to take home roughly $62,350 annually if working at the median hourly rate. In contrast, full-time officers benefit from overtime pay, which adds 20-50% to their base income, especially in cases of court appearances and special duty assignments. Extra-duty work—common in the field—can earn officers additional cash at rates between $35 and $75 per hour. Variability in pay can also stem from the type of employer: city departments, county sheriffs, state police, and federal agencies all offer different compensation structures and benefits. Many officers face a trade-off when considering health insurance and retirement benefits versus higher hourly rates in contract positions or less traditional roles, such as private security. Given Fresno's unique labor dynamics, negotiating for optimal hourly pay often means weighing immediate compensation against long-term benefits that can shape an officer's career trajectory.
More salary data for Fresno, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Fresno. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov